Early Age of Migraine Onset is Independently Related to Cognitive Decline and Symptoms of Depression Affect Quality of Life

Abstract

Background: People with migraine experience cognitive decline more often than healthy controls, resulting in a significant functional impact. Early identifying influencing factors that contribute to cognitive decline in migraineurs is crucial for timely intervention. Although migraine may onset early in childhood and early onset migraine is related to significant disability, there is no research investigating the association between age of migraine onset and migraineurs’ cognitive decline. Therefore we aim to explore possible factors that correlate to cognitive function of migraineurs, especially focus on age of migraine onset. Method: 531 patients with migraine were included. Data on demographics and headache-related characteristics were collected and evaluated using face-to-face interviews and questionnaires. We used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale to assess cognitive function. In addition, we analyzed independent correlations between cognitive decline and the age of migraine onset in patients with migraine. And all patients completed the Headache Impact Test-6 to evaluate their quality of life. Results: Migraineurs with cognitive decline showed significant differences from those without in age (OR=1.26, P<0.0001), years of education (OR=0.89, P=0.0182), intensity of headache (OR=1.03, P=0.0217), age of onset (OR=0.92, P<0.0001) and anxiety scores (OR=1.09, P=0.0235). Furthermore there was no interaction in the age of onset between subgroups. Multivariate linear regression analyses of HIT-6 scores showed that the intensity of headache (β=0.18, P<0.0001) and depression scores (β=0.26, P=0.0009) had independent effects on decreased quality of life. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that younger age of migraine onset is independently related to migraineurs’ cognitive decline, and migraine accompanying anxiety symptoms significantly related to decreased quality of life in migraineurs.

Interictal Dysfunctions of Attention, Vigilance, and Executive Functions in Migraine and Their Reversal by Preventive Treatment: A longitudinal Controlled Study

“…Only one study reported a greater prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in migraine patients with aura compared to those without. [ 26 ] Most of the studies reported cognitive dysfunctions irrespective of the aura status,[ 17 19 20 21 22 27 28 29 30 ] while a few reported cognitive deficits only in migraine patients without aura. [ 28 31 ] Unlike the clinic-based studies, most population-based studies did not detect differences in cognitive dysfunctions between migraine and non-migraine patients.…”

“…Two previous studies have used matched MMSE scores as an inclusion criterion between migraine patients and controls. [ 17 ] Studies using Montreal cognitive assessment reported positive results in discriminating migraine patients from controls,[ 26 28 29 30 ] except in one. [ 25 ] These differences suggest possible greater impairment of frontal lobe functions than other cognitive domains.…”

Impacto do tempo de exposição à doença e do tratamento em pacientes com migrânea

“…Por outro lado, ressalta-se um ponto presente na amostra da atual pesquisa. Anos de educação estão associados, significativamente, a menor comprometimento cognitivo [21][22]. Esses autores verificaram que a migrânea de início jovem tem mais influência sobre a funcionalidade do cérebro impactando em maiores escores de escalas de depressão e menor qualidade de vida [21][22].…”

Cognitive Dysfunction in Migraineurs

“…However, Gil-Gouveia et al [ 5 ] found that the cognitive function of migraineurs decreased during the attack period compared with that during the interval, especially in reading and processing speed, language memory, and learning, indicating reversible brain dysfunction, which might be related to the migraine or the result of acute pain processes in the brain. He et al [ 24 ] found that the age of onset of migraine was independently related to the decline in cognitive function.…”